White Seeks More Authority For Inspector General

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said today he would propose legislation to increase the powers of his inspector general, including giving him more authority to conduct in-house investigations.

White's plan comes on the heels of the federal government's ongoing investigation, dubbed Operation Safe Road, of the widespread practice of exchanging driver's licenses for bribes at some state licensing facilities during the 1990s. Seventeen former secretary of state employees have been convicted.

The proposed legislation also comes one week before the scheduled start of the federal trial of Dean Bauer, a former inspector general under then-Secretary of State George Ryan, who is accused of covering up misconduct within the office. Ryan, now governor, has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

"I believe the best deterrent to corruption is a strong inspector general," White said at a news conference this morning at the James R. Thompson Center.

White's proposal would give the inspector general subpoena powers and access to all records necessary for an investigation, as well as provide inspectors in the office with police powers that include making arrests and carrying a gun.

The proposal also would:

* Make it a misdemeanor offense if a person failed to cooperate with an investigation or gave false testimony.

* Require the inspector general to report directly to the secretary of state, which is common practice but is not part of state law.

* Require the state senate to confirm nominees for inspector general. White said this would make the nomination process open to the public, with hearings in front of lawmakers.

* Require the inspector general to adopt minimum requirements for initiating, conducting and completing investigations.

"This will prevent any rogue or overzealous" investigations, said Inspector General Jim Burns, who said he would be willing to work under the changes.

"Corruption won't be tolerated," Burns said, as a warning to secretary of state employees. "If you're going to try it and we catch you, you're going to pay the price."

Burns said the timing of the proposed bill had nothing to do with the Bauer trial, but with the meeting of the General Assembly Wednesday in Springfield.